El Campanil Theatre to hold community meeting on building’s future Tuesday
SAVE OUR STAGE: A Community Conversation
By Allen D. Payton
In response to the possibility of a church purchasing the historic El Campanil Theatre in Antioch’s downtown Rivertown, the theater’s board of directors and staff are holding a Community Conversation entitled “Save Our State” Tuesday night, Sept. 1, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
This year, the 98-year-old theater building was for sale with an asking price of $1.5 million and a local church was raising $300,000 for a 20% deposit. It’s currently not listed on either Realtor.com or LoopNet.
The theater building, which also houses two retail tenants on W. 2nd Street, was purchased by the non-profit organization, El Campanil Theatre Preservation Foundation, in 2003, with a grant of $500,000 from Calpine energy, which then-Mayor and now-Mayor Pro Tem Don Freitas secured. It was improved with $750,000 in City redevelopment funds and an additional $1 million raised under the leadership of then-foundation chairman Rick Carrher. But after running into financial difficulties following COVID, the building was sold a few years ago to an out-of-state buyer.
A post on the theaters’ Facebook page over the weekend reads: “El Campanil Theatre belongs in the heart of this community and we know many of you have questions about what comes next.
“We invite our patrons, supporters, artists, renters, business owners, and neighbors to join us for a short community gathering at the theatre.
“Come:
• Hear an update and ask questions
• Share your El Campanil memories and stories
• Learn how you can support the theatre moving forward
• Connect with others who believe in keeping the arts alive in Antioch
“This is a time to come together, get informed, and talk about what the future of this historic stage could look like.
“Our story here isn’t over.”
The theater is located at 602 W 2nd Street.
Learn more at www.elcampaniltheatre.com.
